MARLBOROUGH bounce back from their narrow Southern Counties South derby defeat to Devizes by cementing their mid-table credentials with a comfortable victory over bottom side Dorchester.

The home side crossed for six tries on a bitterly cold day on The Common, recovering from the loss of fly-half Amori Nailago to a red card for retaliation after only five minutes.

Russ Westcott moved into the number 10 role, but Dorchester got the first score, driving from a lineout.

Needing to move the hefty Dorchester pack around, Garth Bari caught a clearance and ran straight through the visitors' defences to touch down, Jamie Laing adding the conversion.

Bari scored again after 23 minutes with another good run, beating his opponent after a fine pass from Leo Tuliva and Laing converted.

The Marlborough pack were starting to get an advantage at the set piece with front row Chris Budgen, Darius Hamilton and prop Feilaki Ngungutau earning a penalty that Laing landed for a 17-5 half-time lead.

The short-handed hosts had the second-half slope advantage and the ball was moved wide for number eight Jamie Pittams to dive over, Laing adding the extras.

The welcome return of Avenai Cakaunitavuki after a broken ankle was another boost and, with the pack well on top, they were awarded a penalty try that Bari converted.

Bari then completed his hat-trick after a fine pass by Westcott and converted.

From the restart Josh Lynd caught the ball and stormed upfield, flanker Hugo O'Neill getting on the end of slick passing to score the final try which Laing converted.